i wouldn't trade my '12 GE MT for that. i dont really need high performance out of my Fit, i just need cargo space, daily usability, reliability, sporty feel, decent looks, good mpg.

abarth is cool, but it's too small to do much of any daily tasks.. it would be a fun car to have for weekends, i think.

 

Naaahhh... not a Home Depot hauler... no car payments...

 

Basically the same reason I brought my Fit. Not sure if more power is needed for my use. With the manual I can downshift on ramps and get up to speed quite fast. And I have my Miata for the weekends.

 

197 hp. 214 ft lbs tq. Wow, that's impressive.


New Ford Fiesta ST Hot Hatch Confirmed for North America, Debuts in Los Angeles - Carscoop

 

That means Ford will have on its site the near future to build depending on the release date. Will be interesting to see the pricing. I am sure unlike the Turbo Veloster this car will handle great maybe even better then the Focus ST. 34 mpg is impressive.

 

Tempting. But Fords are still built to shit quality standards and it would fall apart by 100,000 kms. KMS. not MILES. Canadian over here ;) haha

 

Something about the front of the car makes it look heavy or fat in the front not sure maybe its the picture will have to see it in person or a better picture.

 

Nope. Bought my Fit as a reliable, simple, multi-purpose people/cargo haulin' vehicle. If you want a sporty car, there are plenty of other options out there for the same price as one of these.

Although, I wish my Honda had a bit more power. Driving on up on mountain roads and going up hill here in the Pacific Northwest just make the engine work so hard. Other than that, I love my car. :)


...I'd take a Mini Cooper S though.

 

Can anyone think of a car in the subcompact range offered with 200hp? Aside from the Fiesta, I can't. Other cars offering 200hp (Civic SI, VW GTI) are a class up in size and price.

The Fiesta is 2550lbs and gets 197hp.
The Cooper S is 2670lbs and has 181hp. I might also prefer a Cooper S despite this (and I DO think this is the closest comparison so you're right to focus on it)... except that the Cooper S starts (very ill-equipped) at the same price as a Focus ST, so the Fiesta will be way cheaper.

They're both Mexican, though. So that's something :P

 

The only other car is the Veloster turbo based on the Accent but I read that they did not really upgrade the car to match the power. The Sonic is suppose to be coming out with a SS version.

Autoguide

According to sources at GM Inside News, a new Opel-built 1.6-liter turbo four cylinder will likely find it’s way under the hood of the Sonic, giving it some legitimate hot hatch credibility. The engine could make as much as 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, taking the fight directly to Ford’s Fiesta ST (recently confirmed for the US), which makes 180-hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. An upcoming seven speed dual-clutch transmission, designed specifically for small FWD engines, could translate the power in the Sonic SS.


Could explain why Ford went to 197hp.

 

You're right, I sort of forgot about the Veloster. Or rather, I did think about it, but I mentally kicked it up into the Compact group with the Focus and Golf. There's some justification for that - it's a kind of hybrid of Accent and Elantra parts - but it actually is more like an Accent and the Turbo does indeed provide 200hp and costs about about as much as I'd expect the Fiesta ST to cost. Which is to say, $20-22k. There's really only a very thin sliver of price between the $24,500 level where most "bargain" performance cars start and the $19,000 where most decent economy hatches top off ...

I'm actually a bit more interested in the 3-cyl, 1.0L turbo engine coming available in the Fiesta. 148lb-ft of torque? Aston Martin nose? Honda Fit pricing? And what looks to be a very interesting turbo set up (bolted straight to the head, and some other things)? I'd accept the thing only lasting 110k miles. I mean I'd sell it at 90k but have some fun in the meantime. To me that would be a better "hot hatch" than the Fiesta ST. I have no need for 200hp in a car that's so light. Would rather save 6 grand, get 45mpg, and get more comfortable seats to boot.

I'd get no respect of course. But I mean .. I drive a Honda Fit, so I'm used to that. :P

 

I do not really need 200hp I would be happy if the Fit was between 135 to 150 hp. Not sure what the ecoboost option will cost I assume between $1000 to $1500 over the normal Fiesta.

 

On the Ford site:

 

Great car! No room in the back.

 

180 horsepower.....nice
when i rented the fiesta couple of weeks ago i actually like how it handled and
the power, one draw back was cargo space but i wasn't that bad...not bad at all

 

I am glad to see hot hatches making a comeback like back in the 80's.

 

Depends on how much it's going to cost with the Recaro package. If I can get a Fiesta ST with Recaros for under $20,000 I would buy one. The regular ST seats are still pretty nice though. We'll see when they come out...

 

I sat my 6'4" frame in the back of a new ST and am lacking head room. It would make up for this by acquiring some MAGIC seats! #ford'swishlist

 

how about this: Uncamouflaged A45 AMG Teases USA with Power and Style

 

Ford has launched the 2013 Fiesta ST in the United Kingdom.
Currently arriving at dealerships, the £16,995 hot hatch is described as the company's "fastest and most dynamic" small car ever. It is distinguished by an aggressive body kit that includes modified bumpers, a rear diffuser and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. There's also honeycomb grille inserts and LED-infused headlights.
The sporty styling carries over to the cabin as the hatchback features Recaro seats, a sport steering wheel and faux carbon fiber trim. Other niceties include alloy pedals and a "Sound Symposer" that channels engine noise into the cockpit.
Power is provided by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that develops 182 HP (134 kW) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a six-speed manual transmission which enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h). In terms of efficiency, owners can expect to average 47.9 mpg UK (5.9 L/100km / 39.9 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.
On the handling front, the Fiesta ST is equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) and a three-mode Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system that is fully defeatable. There's also retuned springs / dampers, a reduced ride height, a revised power steering system and an improved braking system with rear discs.

Source: Ford